Routinier Kjeld Nuis and the talent Isabel Grevelt won the Dutch titles during the National Sprint Championships.
The 34-year-old Nuis won the final 1000 meters in Thialf in a time of 1.07.32. The skater from Team Reggeborgh thus displaced Merijn Scheperkamp, who had won the second 500 meters of the weekend earlier on Sunday, from the top of the rankings.
Scheperkamp, who finished fifth in the 1000 meters in 1.08.15, also saw Joep Wennemars pass in the rankings. Erben’s son set a personal record of 1.07.40. Wennemars thus picked up a ticket for the World Sprint Championships in Inzell, Germany, alongside Nuis. Groningen sprinter Jenning de Boo had already been placed before that. He therefore ignored the National Championship. Tim Prins finished fourth in the final rankings.
‘This was a wonderful tournament’
Three-time Olympic champion Nuis had enjoyed his second sprint title. “This was a really wonderful tournament for all those people here. It’s really crazy,” he said. “Nuis had seen Wennemars set a fast time. “I thought: good that I have a margin of three tenths. But I was even faster than him.”
After a difficult run-up, the former Emmen native won bronze in the 1000 meters and silver in the 1500 meters during the World Championships. American Jordan Stolz was the winner both times. “That tournament actually came too early for me. Although I also think that the silver behind Stolz in the 1500 was the highest possible,” said Nuis. “I rode here with the knife between my teeth. The World Sprint Championships? I haven’t thought about that at all. I only had the beer cold for tonight. This is the icing on the cake.”
‘It worked, unbelievable’
Coming man Wennemars (21) from Jumbo-Visma was delighted with his ticket for the World Cup. “I was so disappointed after those 500 meters where I gave up. But it still worked, unbelievable,” said the great talent. “I was so happy after my ride in the 1000 meters. I had done what I had to do, set a PR. Now it was up to them. It is a shame that it is at the expense of Merijn, but there were only two places left for the World Cup.”
Isabel Grevelt, also 21, became Dutch champion for the first time in her career in Heerenveen. The sprinter won the final 1000 meters in a time of 1.15.06. She just kept Marrit Fledderus behind her in the final rankings. He achieved a time of 1.15.08. Chloé Hoogendoorn finished third in the final distance in 1.15.85.
Grevelt, who drives for the Friesland region, had a lead of 0.24 seconds over Fledderus in the final rankings. Dione Voskamp finished third in the final rankings. With her first place, Grevelt earned the only available ticket for the World Cup. Jutta Leerdam and Femke Kok (via a pointer) were already qualified for that World Cup and did not participate in Thialf.
‘I suffered from nerves’
After Fledderus had taken action, it was Grevelt’s turn. “I noticed that I was having some nerves. It was quite difficult to deal with that, especially when she had set such a fast time,” said the skater from Petten. She kept an eye on the scoreboard during her race. “I always look secretly and saw that I was behind. But I also knew that I can do a good last lap.”
There were some tears after the finish: “Also because of the tension, it was quite emotional.” She attaches great importance to her World Cup ticket. “The title is nice, but the best were not there. Although winning a senior title for the first time is also very special.” Grevelt does not yet know whether there will be offers from commercial teams. “In any case, I haven’t had any conversations yet. I have had a wonderful time with the region, but I think this is the time to spread my wings.”
Retired skater Irene Schouten (31) was put in the spotlight on Saturday in Thialf. The three-time Olympic champion said goodbye to the audience with a lap of honor. The North Holland native received, among other things, the Golden Pin from the KNSB skating association as a token of appreciation. Her name was also unveiled on the ring of honor of the ice stadium. She rode her lap of honor to the accompaniment of a song specially made for her.
On Sunday it was Thomas Krol’s turn to say goodbye. The Olympic champion in the 1000 meters is going to become a pilot. His name also appeared on the ring of honor in Thialf.